Justine Clark
Postdoctoral Research Fellow
PhD
justine.clark@thekids.org.au
https://www.linkedin.com/in/justine-clark-80a170224/Dr Justine Clark is an Adnyamathanha woman and an early career cancer researcher focusing on Aboriginal cancer health equity in precision oncology. Dr Clark applies a unique perspective to her research that is grounded in her cultural background and her scientific training in cancer cell and molecular biology. Her research aims to ensure that Australian precision oncology initiatives embed sovereignty and benefit for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
Dr Clark obtained her PhD in 2023 from the Myeloma Research Laboratory at the University of Adelaide and the South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute looking at the roles of a family of cell surface receptors on multiple myeloma disease progression.
Dr Clark now leads an MRFF-funded program of work seeking to understand blood cancer genomics and clinical outcomes among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples with a focus on South Australia. The program incorporates community engagement to establish priorities of Aboriginal South Australians for future precision oncology research and clinical care.
Dr Clark has made significant contributions to Australia’s first national policy on cancer genomics: the National Framework for Genomics in Cancer Control. She led national Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander consultation for the Framework in collaboration with Cancer Australia, providing recommendations from her qualitative findings that directly informed policy development.
In 2024, Dr Clark was awarded the Australian Academy of Science Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Scientist award in recognition of her outstanding early-career research in precision oncology.
Education and Qualifications
- Doctor of Philosophy – University of Adelaide
- Bachelor of Health and Medical Science (Honours) – University of Adelaide
- Bachelor of Psychological Science – University of Adelaide
Awards/Honours
- 2024 – Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Scientist Award, Australian Academy of Science